Discovery is Canada’s leading innovation-to-commercialization conference. Hosted by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), Discovery brings together key players from industry, academia, government, the investment community as well as entrepreneurs and students to pursue collaboration opportunities.
Participate in one of the many competitions taking place throughout the conference.
Tuesday, May 13, 9:00-11:30 a.m. – Innovation Theatre
Honouring past OCE Board Chair David McFadden, the David McFadden Energy Entrepreneur Challenge invites university and college students from across Ontario’s academic institutions to address challenges facing the energy sector. Each year a particular challenge is selected and students pitch their entrepreneurial ideas and solutions to be judged against David’s own philosophy of innovation: that it be economically viable while also leading to the betterment of society in creating a safer, better place.
Students enter their idea in a three-minute video uploaded to YouTube. Up to 10 finalists will now meet face-to-face with expert advisers, who will help them improve their proposals and strengthen their concepts.
At Discovery, each finalist receives five minutes to pitch their concept to a panel of energy sector experts and investors. This panel will choose one winner who will be presented with the David McFadden Energy Entrepreneur Award at Discovery and receive $25,000 and a suite of business services to advance the winning business concept.
See complete competition details on OCE’s website.
2013/14 Challenge
The theme for this year’s Energy Entrepreneur Challenge is “Energy as Enabler” (or Enlightened Energy). Many of us take for granted the energy we need to heat and air condition our homes and businesses; power our industries; and propel our vehicles. However, in many areas of the globe, energy is scarce or even unavailable.
Your challenge is to create energy solutions that are practical, affordable and sustainable. Your energy solution should also be exportable and adaptable to the needs of different parts of the world. More than just commercially viable your solution should also help contribute to safer, healthier and more environmentally sound communities.
